Originally posted at Tanay Geographic.
Who ever thought that the love for coffee could give birth to an entrepreneurial opportunity? Well, such idea was conceptualized by Vista Barista owner Jasmine-Vista Catolos. Her famous local coffee shop, known as Vista Barista, has been the favorite café spot both by Tanay townsfolk and travelers. This café is the precious gourmet spot in the tranquil countryside of Rizal.
About the Cafe
Vista Barista is a surprise wonder hidden in the rustic and charming countryside of Manila East Road. With stretches of farm patches and rolling hills, it is quite a refreshing sight to find a modern alternative in the form of gourmet coffee. No wonder the residents from all over the province frequent this one-of-a-kind coffee shop.
This small café is located at the side of Manila East Road, near the bend leading to the Tanay town proper. It is easy to spot, being along the roadside. It stands beside the famous Halamanan, the restaurant owned by Jasmine’s family for more than twenty years.
The café is a world of its own. Once you enter its stone brick fence, it’s as if you are waltzed into another time—with an artesian well beckoning you at the center of the café porch and an old piano that could be traced way back a century ago. The café can only seat thirty people and its busiest days are Fridays until Sundays.
Not Your Usual Blend
Jasmine is also a three-time pastry chef winner in the annual cake decorating category of the Filipino-Chinese Bakery Association. Her passion for baking spawned not only the local taste but national recognition. A frequent participant in special events expos, Jasmine gained wide recognition for her premium custom made cakes. Inevitably, her fame brought on more loyal customers not just for her prized pastries (usually available in her café) but also her unique coffee blends.
While the café is best known for its to-die-for pastries, their gourmet coffee blends are such hits among the residents and travelers. The crowd favorite is the Vista Blend—an espresso shot with a sweetened blend of cream and ice with chocolate. The hot counterpart of this concoction is their very own Al Mocha—a blend of creamy espresso, dark chocolate, and ice topped with whipped cream, mallows, chocolate, and candy sprinkles.
The latest blend proves to be the best yet. Her Strawberry Kiss can seduce coffee connoisseurs to its warmth and strawberry aroma. This hot foamy strawberry of a coffee has a shot of creamy espresso, strawberry syrup, chocolate, and steamed milk. The Strawberry Kiss is a perfect blend for those looking for a new twist to gourmet coffee and for those who shy away from sweet beverages.
Menu
Although Jasmine’s expertise is for custom made cakes, her flair for good food cannot be ruled out. Coming from a lineage known for its love of great food, tradition, and service, Jasmine took her knowledge and experience from her roots and crafted masterpiece dishes that every diner would love.
The café offers complete courses—from light salads to hearty pastas and sandwiches while beverages vary with hot and ice blended mixes.
A must try is their creamy Carbonara. This linguine pasta dish with bacon strips, mushrooms, and parmesan is heavenly in each bite. You would be amazed how the flavors of the ingredients come altogether in your palate.
BepBep’s Club is the café’s version of the classic clubhouse sandwich. The tenderness of the chicken chunks is surprising in each bite. Sandwiched between crunchy lettuce, tomatoes, bacon strips, spread, the tenderness brought by the grilled chicken creates a perfect balance to all the elements of this classic club.
Unlike most businesses who heavily invest in advertisements, Jasmine’s café thrived due to the loyalty of its customers. You can never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth promotions. Not sooner since its opening, neighboring towns learned of the coffee shop’s establishment and found themselves becoming loyal customers who go out of their way to have their favorite order from Vista Barista. Even travelers to Laguna en route Rizal deliberately stop over the café to have their favorite cakes and coffee to go. Because of the premium quality that Jasmine puts into every pastry, frequent visitors make it a point to place an advance order so they would not miss out on their favorite cakes.
What also made this café a hit among the visitors is its price. Even cafés and bistros in Manila could not beat the price that comes with generous servings of every dish. You should work up a hearty appetite before coming to this place because Vista Barista gives hefty helpings. Prices for the dishes range from P80-160 while coffee price can be as low as P35 up to P120.
Aside from the café menu, Jasmine also offers custom made cakes for every occasion. These are available by making advance orders.
Jasmine has no plans of expanding the café in the near future. She just enjoys the idea of having her loved gourmet coffee within arm’s reach and to share that love to her cherished province. Through the establishment of Vista Barista, Jasmine is paving way for the local’s reception of good food and fine living.
Hi, Ms. Eileen. This is Allen P. Lugo, an Executive Producer of Newswatch
being aired over RPN9. I stumbled this site when I was researching for a Tanay attraction. Is it possible that we cover your Vista Barista this saturday, May 7? We will be coming from Pililia Rizal to shoot the Bulawan Floating Resto, that’s why I am looking for another attraction on our way home to QC after our shoot in Pililia Rizal. Probably after lunch.
My number is 09178081813.